Port Hope welcomes Mayor for a Day -- Kallaway Mercer

Port Hope council briefs

Mayor for day Kallaway Mercer

Karen Longwell / Northumberland News

PORT HOPE -- Kallaway Mercer, 10, takes a seat in the mayor's office during a tour with Port Hope Mayor Linda Thompson, left, on Feb. 5. Kallaway was selected as this year's mayor for a day. He will preside over council on Feb. 12. February 5, 2013.

PORT HOPE -- As part of its Mayor for the Day festivities, Port Hope welcomed a new mayor to council chambers Tuesday night.

During a Feb. 12 council meeting, St. Anthony's Elementary School Grade 5 student Kallaway Mercer, 10, presided over the meeting while Mayor Linda Thompson sat to his right.

Kallaway's family was on hand to watch him drop the gavel a few times during the meeting -- save for his mom who was working in California. However, she was able to watch her son via Facetime on an iPad set up in the council chambers.

Kallaway was selected to be mayor for a day from 100 entries submitted by Port Hope students in Grades 5 to 8. On Feb. 5, Kallaway toured town hall and the police station, attended a meeting with senior municipal staff to learn more about the inner workings of municipal government, stopped in at local businesses and had lunch with Mayor Thompson.

Mayor for the Day candidates take in council meeting

PORT HOPE -- Although not selected to be Port Hope Mayor for the Day, five candidates presented their political pitches to councillors Tuesday night.

Abbey Morrison, Dayton Crombie, Brendyn Beck, Madison Taylor, Evan Kaczanowksi each took turns speaking at the podium explaining why they should have been selected for Port Hope's Mayor for the Day.

After each presentation, Mayor Linda Thompson acknowledged their efforts with a certificate of appreciation from the municipality, while Northumberland Quinte West MPP Rob Milligan did the same on behalf of the Province.

A small reception was held afterwards for all the candidates and their families.

Aryan Patel, Cavanagh Matmor and Ella Teasdale were also considered, but not present during the council meeting. St. Anthony's Elementary School Grade 5 student Kallaway Mercer, 10, was previously selected as the mayor for a Day.

Port Hope parking meter rates doubled

PORT HOPE -- Want to park in downtown Port Hope? It's soon going to cost you double the current rate.

Councillors voted to increase the parking meter fees during a Feb. 12 council meeting.

The new fees are as follows: six minutes for ten cents; 12 minutes for 20 cents; 30 minutes for 50 cents; and an hour will need a $1.

Designated handicapped parking spaces carry no charge, and vehicles which have a valid Ontario Veteran licence plate can be parked for free. Free Saturday parking also remains in effect.

In a recorded vote, all councillors, except for Jeff Lees, voted in favour of the change.